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Caring for
your book collection
by Judith Rippelmeyer
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It's official, you're a romance book collecting addict, or more correctly
a bibliophile. Now that you've collected those 5,000 books, you need to
take care of them. Just like a child needs to be fed and diapered, a book
needs pampering too.
First things first, if you haven't already got your collection listed in
some form of database, do it now. You'll need it for step #3.
After your books are listed in the database, purchase a good price guide on
the value of used romances. One I particularly like is Paperback Price
Guide For Romance.
http://www.paperbackpriceguide.com/ There are price guides
available for other genres, and if you are a multi-genre collector you may
want to get those also. Add the values to any really valuable books you
may have. Did you know, for instance that a copy of Suzanne Enoch's
ANGEL'S DEVIL is valued at $15.75 in good condition?
Once you've got your database completed call your insurance company and
ask for an additional rider on your homeowner's insurance policy (or
renter's insurance) to cover your book collection. If you have a fire,
flood, or any other catastrophe your books are not covered without it. It only costs a few pennies
per hundred dollars of insurance and well worth it if you'd ever have to
try and replace that collection. Some of us who have been collecting
forever would be amazed at how valuable some of our books really are.
Ok, now down to the every day things. First, your books should be shelved.
No, not stuck in bags in a closet or in Rubbermaid containers in the shed,
basement, or under your bed. On bookshelves. I can already hear you
saying, "But I don't have enough bookshelves." Then make some. Find an
empty wall in your home (yes, we've all got them), measure the wall, side
to side and floor to ceiling. You'll need to space your shelves
approximately ten inches apart. Once you've figured your space and how
many shelves you need make a run to your nearest home "handy guy" store
and pick up some simple shelf brackets, bars, and fabricated wood. Once
home you can either be Handy Jane; you'll need a drill and screwdriver, or
look pitiful so hubby takes over and puts up the shelves for you.
Now you've got your new shelves, it's time to put away the books. First
figure out how you want to organize your books. Some people do it
alphabetically by author, some by storyline, or other ways. Hodgepodge
doesn't cut it though! The whole point is to be able to FIND a book you
want at a second's notice.
Shelve your books according to your system. Paperbacks should be shelved
stacked horizontally. Hard covers should be shelved vertically. Shelving
paperbacks horizontally keeps them from getting spine warp. You should be
able to get 10 full size romances per stack, per shelf. Don't be afraid to
put stacks in front of other stacks. You can get up to 10 stacks of
paperbacks and 5-6 hard covers on one 36" shelf. That's over 100 books per
shelf on a normal size bookcase.
Your books are now archived, valuated, and shelved. Step back and admire
your handiwork. But you're still not done. Here are a few more tips:
** Never carry a paperback in your purse. It causes pages to be bent,
covers to tear and devalues a book.
**Twice a year wipe the covers of your books with a soft damp towel. This
removes any dust or airborne particles.
**If you smoke don't do it in the same room as your books.
**Books should never be stored in direct sunlight, it dries the pages.
**If you want to be over the top with your books you can store them in
archival quality ephemera bags available at
http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/servlet/OnlineShopping
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